Lily POV
Father and I spent the next few days in the house. He told me I was free to go see Madame Giry if I pleased, but I didn't want to leave my Father. I was reading an enticing novel about a detective named Sherlock Holmes, who lived in London on 122B Baker Street with his partner John Watson and Mrs Hudson, the land lady.
Father had been in the study all day at his desk paying bills and filing papers Madame Giry had dropped off hours prior. I had hardly seen him all day, but I didn't want to be a burden to him. Then I heard something come from down the hallway. It sounded as of someone was tapping gently on the keys of a piano. I placed my mark in the book so I wouldn't loose my place later on. The sound increased to a melody, and it was so beautiful. I missed the sound of music and singing. Mother had always sang around the house, that was until Raoul would come home drunk. I crept through the hallway trying to be quiet. I stopped outside the door and the playing ceased. I frowned, wishing the playing would continue but it didn't. I was about to head back downstairs when father said,
"It isn't polite to spy" he had heard me through the door. I opened it peeking my head inside. Father sat at the piano looking as regal as ever. He sat tall in his usual trousers and spit shined shoes. Accompanied by a gray silk shirt and a black house coat. His hair was perfectly slicked back as usual. I realized how little I had seen him in the past few days and how much I missed him.
"How on earth did you hear me?" I asked, utterly confused how anyone's ears could be that keen.
"I believe you're forgetting who your father is" he said turning to face me. He was The Phantom Of The Opera.
"I guess you're right, Father." I said.
"What were you playing?" I asked approaching the piano he sat at, looking at the sheet music.
"A song I used to sing with your mother long ago, the first night we officially met. The first time she saw my face" he answered picking me up and placing me in his lap. I could tell how much he missed her, his eyes always held so much pain every time he talked about her. I looked at his now saddened face, his white porcelain mask covering his scars. I brought my hand to his mask and he tensed out of habit. I slid off the mask exposing my Father's deformity.
"Father, why do you wear the mask around the house?" I asked.
"Because I don't wish to frighten you. I'm a monster" he said. This made my heart ache, he wasn't a monster he was simply a man with a flaw. I kissed the rough skin on his deformity. He wrapped his strong arms around me.
"Father, please don't wear it around the house if its just you and me. I wish to see your face. You're so handsome Father." I said ,smiling at him.
"OK" he said. He gave me a warm smile. I loved my father more than anything.
Erik POV
I didn't deserve this in my life, none of it. No man, or monster who has done the things I have, deserves this. I looked upon the face of my 10 year old daughter. She had my whit and personality, but her mother's kindness and compassion. I had agreed to her request for me to no longer wear the mask when it was just me and her at the lair.
"I'm sorry I've kept you cooped up in the lair these past few days" I said to her. Being my child she didn't mind the darkness but she was still a growing girl who needed to be outside in the sunshine. Instead she giggled at my apology.
"What's so funny?" I asked confused.
"Its funny that you call our home a lair. Its very dramatic of you" she said with a giggle. I sighed, if only she knew of my home in Paris. She stayed in my arms for a few more minutes, both if us enjoying the silence and comfort in each other. She then turned to face the piano.
"Play for me Father?" She asked. I couldn't refuse her. I hadn't played in days and it felt amazing to get back to it. Music was my drug of choice, its what kept me going all those years without my Christine.
I placed my hand on the keys in front of me,
Wandering child
So lost, so helpless
Have you forgotten your Angel?
Angel, oh, speak! What endless longings echo in this whisper!
Too long you've wandered in winter, far from my fathering gaze
Wildly my mind beats against you
Lily watched me in amazement, a smile on her face, as she watched my hands dance across the keys of the grand piano. As I finished the the song Lily looked up at me, I stared back at her green eyes.
"Oh Father, I wish I could sing like mother and play like you" she said with a sigh.
"Oh my angel, but you can, I will teach you. You will be the best in all the world. You are the product of the angels of music. It runs through your veins" I said stroking her hair.
"I'll never be as good as mother," she sighed into my shoulder.
"No, you'll be better my love"
YOU ARE READING
Keep Me Close
Fanfic"Kiss me one last time my angel" He held his angel of music close to his trembling chest as the last bit of life had left her once lively eyes. He softly pressed his lips to his loves icy cold lips that for once night long ago he called his own. H...
